Golf bag having adjustable characteristics

ABSTRACT

A golf bag having one or more adjustable features is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf bag comprises a handle rotatable around an axis perpendicular to a vertical axis extending through the body of the golf bag, and may be fixed in place via a locking mechanism so that the handle maintains a desired angle with respect to the vertical axis. The handle of the present invention preferably is rotatably affixed to a collar or upper portion of the golf bag. The golf bag also comprises an external pocket that is removably affixed to an exterior surface of the golf bag with hook and loop fasteners and other attachment mechanisms.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/693,910, tiled on Aug. 28, 2012, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf bag having adjustable features,including a movable handle and a removable external pocket.

2. Description of the Related Art

Golf bags of all kinds, including stand and cart bags, typically includeone or more straps to facilitate long distance carrying of the bag, andalso include one or more handles located at or proximate an upper orcollar portion of the bag that enable golfers to lift and carry the bagshort distances. These handles typically extend approximatelyperpendicularly from a vertical side of the upper or collar portion ofthe bag of the bag and are formed integrally with the collar or upperportion of the bag. As a result of the integral forming of the handleswith the collar of the bag during manufacturing, these handles are fixedin place and cannot be adjusted. Golf bags generally have a standardheight, so the fixed quality of the handles can inconvenience or causediscomfort to a golfer who is taller or shorter than average and mustgrasp the fixed handle at an awkward or non-intuitive angle. As such,there is a need for a golf bag having an adjustable handle,

Golf bags also typically include one or more external pockets that aresized to hold various golf-related equipment and accessories such asgolf balls, water bottles, and gloves. The external surfaces of thesepockets typically are embroidered with manufacturer and/or golf clublogos, but such embroidery is difficult to accomplish when the pocket isintegrated with or otherwise permanently affixed to the rest of the golfbag. As such, there is a need for a golf bag having pockets that can beeasily customized.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The golf bags of the present invention allow users to adjust the angleformed by the handle with respect to a vertical axis intersecting thegolf bag body, and thus increase the ease of use of the golf bags. Thepresent invention also provides removable and interchangeable storagepockets, which allow for greater custom embroidery manufacturingefficiency as well as increased customization options for end users inareas such as materials, colors, design, and functionality.

One aspect of the present invention is a golf bag comprising a topcollar comprising at least one divider, a handle rotatably affixed tothe top collar, and a bag body. In some embodiments, the collar maycomprise first and second rotation points, the handle may comprise firstand second rotation elements, the first rotation element may rotatablyaffixed to the first rotation point, and the second rotation element maybe rotatably affixed to the second rotation point. In some of theseembodiments, the first rotation point may be located on a first side ofthe collar and the second rotation point may be located on a second sideof the collar opposite the first side of the collar. In otherembodiments, a locking means may be disposed between the handle and thecollar, and the locking means may allow a golfer to temporarily fix thehandle to the collar. In certain embodiments, the handle may berotatable around an axis that intersects the first and second rotationpoints. In other embodiments, the top collar and the handle may becomposed of a plastic material, an angle between the handle and avertical axis intersecting the collar may be adjustable, the collar maycomprise a plurality of dividers, the bag body may be selected from thegroup consisting of a stand bag body, a carry bag body, and a cart bagbody, and/or the golf bag may further comprise at least one carry strap.

Another aspect of the present invention is a golf bag collar comprisinga ring comprising a plurality of internal dividers and an external wall,and a handle rotatably affixed at two points to the external wall,wherein the ring is composed of a lightweight material. The ring may besized to fit within a golf bag body, and some embodiments may furthercomprise a locking mechanism that releasably fixes the handle to thering. In some embodiments, the lightweight material may be selected fromthe group consisting of plastic, composite, and a metal alloy. In otherembodiments, the handle, which may be composed of a plastic material andbe partially covered with a rubber material, or may comprise alightweight material selected from the group consisting of rubber,plastic, composite, and a lightweight metal alloy, may comprise firstand second rotation elements. In some embodiments, the handle may berotatable around a first axis, and wherein the first axis isperpendicular to a second, vertical axis that bisects the ring. In someembodiments, at least one of the first and second rotation elementscomprises a locking mechanism, which may engage a part of the ring tosemi-permanently fix the handle to the ring. In some embodiments, thelocking mechanism may comprise a pin sized to mate with a recessdisposed on the oval ring.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a golf bag comprising atop collar with at least one divider, a handle rotatably affixed to thetop collar, a bag body, abase, and an external pocket, wherein theexternal pocket comprises a plurality of attachment features thatremovably affix the external pocket to an exterior surface of the bagbody. In some embodiments, the collar may comprise first and secondrotation points, the handle may comprise first and second rotationelements, the first rotation element may be rotatably affixed to thefirst rotation point, the second rotation element may be rotatablyaffixed to the second rotation point, the first rotation point may belocated on a first side of the collar, the second rotation point may belocated on a second side of the collar opposite the first side of thecollar, and the handle may be rotatable around an axis that intersectsthe first and second rotation points. The golf bag may, in some furtherembodiments, comprise a locking mechanism disposed between the handleand the collar, which may temporarily fix the handle to the collar. Insome embodiments, an angle between the handle and a vertical axisintersecting the collar is adjustable.

In some embodiments, the plurality of attachment features may be a firstplurality of hook and loop fasteners, the exterior surface of the bagbody may comprise a second plurality of hook and loop fasteners, and thesecond plurality of hook and loop fasteners may be disposed on theexternal surface of the bag body to mate with the first plurality ofhook and loop fasteners. In further embodiments, the golf bag maycomprise a zipper assembly that removably attaches the external pocketto the bag body, a plurality of clip assemblies that removably attachesthe external pocket to the bag body, and/or a rod and channel assemblythat removably attaches the external pocket to the bag body. In someembodiments, the collar may comprise a plurality of dividers, and theexternal pocket may extend from the collar to the base. In still otherembodiments, the bag body may be selected from the group consisting of astand bag body, a carry bag body, and a cart bag body.

Another aspect of the present invention is a golf bag comprising acollar, body comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a left sideportion, a right side portion, an external surface, and a longitudinalaxis, abase, and a first removable pocket comprising a first pluralityof hook and loop fasteners, wherein the external surface comprises asecond plurality of hook and loop fasteners, and wherein the secondplurality of hook and loop fasteners is aligned on the external surfaceto mate with the first plurality of hook and loop fasteners. In somefurther embodiments, the bag body may comprise a channel extending alongthe longitudinal axis, the first removable pocket may comprise aflexible rod, and the rod may be removably received within the channelto affix the first removable pocket to the bag body. In someembodiments, the first removable pocket may be removably affixed to oneof the side portions, and in a further embodiment, a second removablepocket may be removably affixed to the other side portion. In someembodiments, the channel and the flexible rod may be hidden from viewwhen the removable pocket is affixed to the bag body.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and furtherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by thoseskilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description ofthe invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a golf bag collar according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 incombination with a golf bag.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, side perspective view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is an exploded, side perspective view of a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5B is a close up view of the circled areas in FIG. 5A when they areaffixed to one another.

FIG. 6A is an exploded, side perspective view of a third embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6B is a close up view of the circled areas in FIG. 6A when they areproximate each other.

FIG. 7A is an exploded, side perspective view of a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7B is a close up view of the circled areas in FIG. 7A when they areaffixed to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4.As disclosed in these Figures, a collar 10 having a plurality ofdividers 11, 12, 13, 14 sized to receive one or more golf club shafts isformed from a sturdy and lightweight material, preferably plastic,composite, or a lightweight metal alloy. A handle 20 generally extendsfrom two rotation points 30, 35 located on opposite sides of theexterior surface 15 of the collar 10. The handle 20 includes rotatorelements 23, 25, which in the preferred embodiment have a circular shapebut can be any shape desired by the manufacturer, that are affixed tothe rotation points 30, 35 on the collar 10 and rotate around an axis 40extending through the two rotation points 30, 35.

By rotating the rotator elements 23, 35, and thus the handle 20, aroundthe axis 40, the angle α between the handle 20 and a vertical axis 50extending through the collar 10 and the golf bag body 60 to which it isattached can be adjusted. The rotator elements 23, 35 can then be lockedto the collar 10 when the handle 20 is adjusted so that handle 20 istemporarily fixed at an angle α selected by the golfer. The rotatorelements 23, 25 and collar 10 can include any locking mechanism or meansknown to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in thepreferred embodiment, the rotator elements 23, 25 comprises pins (notshown) that are temporarily inserted into recesses (not shown) on thecollar 10 to prevent the rotator elements 23, 25 from moving withrespect to the collar 10. In another embodiment, the rotator elements23, 25 comprise releasable internal clamps (not shown) that are attachedto one or more protrusions (not shown) extending from the exteriorsurface 15 of the collar 10.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention also comprises one ormore removable pockets 70 sized to attach to an external surface of thegolf bag body 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the exemplary pocket 70, whichcomprises one or more enclosed interior spaces or sub-pockets (notshown) accessible via one or more closable openings 75, preferablyextends from the collar 10 to the base 65 of the golf bag body 60, thuscovering one entire side of the golf bag body 60. The pocket 70preferably is removably affixed to the golf bag body via hook and loop(e.g., Velcro®) strips 80 placed roughly along a longitudinal axis 62 ofboth the golf bag body 60 and the underside of an edge 72 of the pocket70, and movement of the pocket 70 during use of the golf bag isprevented by the use of smaller hook and loop strips 82, 84, 86, 88disposed at intervals at locations on the golf bag body 60 underneaththe pocket 70, with mating strips (not shown) disposed at similarlocations on the lower surface (not shown) of the pocket 70. The hookand loop strips 80, 82, 84, 86, 88 may be placed anywhere underneath thepocket 70, as long as they create the visual impression that the pocket70 is seamlessly and permanently integrated with the golf bag body 60.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the pocket 70 isaffixed to the golf bag body 60, roughly along its longitudinal axis 62,with a zipper assembly 90. The zipper assembly 90 may extend around theentire circumference of the pocket 70, but preferably, for the purposeof reducing the overall weight of the bag, extends only along one edge72 of the pocket 70, which is secured to the bag at its other pointswith smaller hook and loop strips 82, 84, 86, 88 disposed at intervalsunderneath the pocket as disclosed in connection with FIG. 4 herein.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the pocket 70 isaffixed to the golf bag body 60 roughly along its longitudinal axis 62with a plurality of clip assemblies 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, each ofwhich is made up of a clip 110 and a clip receiver 112. Each clip 110preferably is disposed on the golf bag body 60, while the clip receiver112 is disposed on an underside of the pocket 70 so the assembly 102will be hidden when the pocket 70 is affixed to the golf bag body 60,but in other embodiments some or all of the clip receivers 112 may bedisposed on the golf bag body 60 instead of on the pocket 70. The clipassemblies 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 may extend around the entirecircumference of the pocket 70, but preferably, for the purpose ofreducing the overall weight of the bag, extend only along one edge 72 ofthe pocket 70, which is secured to the bag at its other points withsmaller hook and loop strips 82, 84, 86, 88 disposed at intervalsunderneath the pocket as disclosed in connection with FIG. 4 herein. Theclip assemblies 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 preferably are made from alightweight, non-metallic material to reduce the overall weight of thegolf bag, but may be made from any sturdy materials known to a personskilled in the art.

In yet another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the pocket 70 isaffixed to the golf bag body 60 roughly along its longitudinal axis 62with a rod and channel assembly 120. As shown in these figures, the golfbag body 60 comprises an elongated channel 122 that extends roughlyalong the longitudinal axis 62 from the collar 10 to the base 65, whilethe pocket 70 comprises an elongated rod 124 extending underneath alongitudinal edge 72 of the pocket 70. The rod 124, which preferably isformed from a flexible, non-metallic material like plastic or compositeto increase the ease of assembly and reduce the overall bag weight, ispreferably disposed underneath the external surface of the pocket 70 sothat the rod and channel assembly 120 is hidden from view when thepocket is assembled with the golf bag body 60. The channel 122 is sizedto receive the rod 124 such that the pocket 70 is attached to the golfbag body 60 by sliding the rod 124 down the channel 122 until the rod124 is fully disposed within the channel 122. The channel 122 preferablyhas a closed bottom surface to prevent the rod 124 from sliding out ofthe channel 122 during use. In an alternative embodiment, the golf clubbody 60 my include the rod 124 and the pocket 70 may include the channel122. As with the other embodiments disclosed herein, rod and channelassemblies 120 may disposed around more than one edge of the pocket 70,but the rod and channel assembly 120 preferably, for the purpose ofreducing the overall weight of the bag, extends only along one edge 72of the pocket 70, which is secured to the bag at its other points withsmaller hook and loop strips 82, 84, 86, 88 disposed at intervalsunderneath the pocket as disclosed in connection with FIG. 4 herein.

The novel removable pocket 70 structures disclosed herein are beneficialbecause golf equipment manufacturers typically embroider or otherwiseaffix company logos along the side of their golf bags to increase brandvisibility, and also customize the external surface of golf bags forcustomers. The removable pocket 70 allows manufacturers to focus onembroidering only a small part of the overall golf bag body 60, thusincreasing the efficiency and reducing the cost of customizing,assembling, packaging, shipping, and importing golf bag products. Theremovable nature of the pocket 70 also allows customers to customizetheir bags after purchase, by buying replacement pockets with differentcosmetic or functional features, such as different materials, colors,attachments like divots and clips to hold other accessories, and numberof sub-pockets.

The collar 10 and handle 20 configuration of the present invention canbe used in connection with any kind of golf bag, including stand bags,carry bags, and cart bags, and can be made from any materials known to aperson of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the handle may be madeof a lightweight but sturdy plastic and then covered with a rubbermaterial to facilitate grasping by a golfer during use. Similarly, theremovable pocket 70 may be combined with any type of golf bag, and bedisposed on any part of a golf bag, including the front, rear, sides,and straps of the golf bag, and pre-existing golf bags may beretrofitted to accommodate a removable pocket 70 by adding one or moreof the features disclosed herein. The removable pocket 70, and thevarious means for attaching the removable pocket to the golf bagdisclosed herein, may be made of any material preferred by the user, anddoes not have to made of the same material as the golf bag to which itis affixed.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinentart will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention andwill readily understand that while the present invention has beendescribed in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and otherembodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes,modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which isintended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in thefollowing appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the inventionin which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined inthe following appended claims.

We claim as our invention:
 1. A golf bag comprising: a top collarcomprising at least one divider; a handle rotatably affixed to the topcollar; a bag body; abuse; and an external pocket, wherein the externalpocket comprises a plurality of attachment features that removably affixthe external pocket to an exterior surface of the bag body.
 2. The golfbag of claim 1, wherein the collar comprises first and second rotationpoints, wherein the handle comprises first and second rotation elements,wherein the first rotation element is rotatably affixed to the firstrotation point, wherein the second rotation element is rotatably affixedto the second rotation point, wherein the first rotation point islocated on a first side of the collar, wherein the second rotation pointis located on a second side of the collar opposite the first side of thecollar, and wherein the handle is rotatable around an axis thatintersects the first and second rotation points.
 3. The golf bag ofclaim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism disposed between thehandle and the collar, wherein the locking mechanism temporarily fixesthe handle to the collar.
 4. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein an anglebetween the handle and a vertical axis intersecting the collar isadjustable.
 5. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofattachment features is a first plurality of hook and loop fasteners,wherein the exterior surface of the bag body comprises a secondplurality of hook and loop fasteners, and wherein the second pluralityof hook and loop fasteners is disposed on the external surface of thebag body to mate with the first plurality of hook and loop fasteners. 6.The golf bag of claim 5, further comprising a zipper assembly, whereinthe zipper assembly removably attaches the external pocket to the bagbody.
 7. The golf bag of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of clipassemblies, wherein each of the plurality of dip assemblies removablyattaches the external pocket to the bag body.
 8. The golf bag of claim5, further comprising a rod and channel assembly, wherein the rod andchannel assembly removably attaches the external pocket to the bag body.9. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the collar comprises a plurality ofdividers, and wherein the external pocket extends from the collar to thebase.
 10. The golf bag of claim 1, wherein the bag body is selected fromthe group consisting of a stand bag body, a carry bag body, and a cartbag body.
 11. A golf bag collar comprising: a ring comprising aplurality of internal dividers and an external wall; a handle rotatablyaffixed at two points to the external wall; and at least one lockingmechanism that releasably fixes the handle to the ring, wherein the ringis composed of a lightweight material selected from the group consistingof plastic, composite, and a metal alloy, and wherein the handlecomprises a lightweight material selected from the group consisting ofrubber, plastic, and composite.
 12. The golf bag collar of claim 11,wherein the handle comprises first and second rotation elements,
 13. Thegolf bag collar of claim 12, wherein each of the first and secondrotation elements comprises a locking mechanism.
 14. The golf bag collarof claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin sized to matewith a recess disposed on the ring.
 15. The golf bag collar of claim 11,wherein the handle is rotatable around a first axis, and wherein thefirst axis is perpendicular to a second, vertical axis that bisects thering.
 16. A golf bag comprising: a collar; a bag body comprising a frontportion, a rear portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, anexternal surface, and a longitudinal axis; a base; and a first removablepocket comprising a first plurality of hook and loop fasteners, whereinthe external surface comprises a second plurality of hook and loopfasteners, and wherein the second plurality of hook and loop fastenersis aligned on the external surface to mate with the first plurality ofhook and loop fasteners.
 17. The golf bag of claim 16, wherein the bagbody further comprises a channel extending along the longitudinal axis,wherein the first removable pocket further comprises a flexible rod, andwherein the rod is removably received within the channel to affix thefirst removable pocket to the bag body.
 18. The golf bag of claim 17,wherein the first removable pocket is removably affixed to the firstside portion.
 19. The golf bag of claim 18, further comprising a secondremovable pocket, wherein the second removable pocket is removablyaffixed to the second side portion.
 20. The golf bag of claim 17,wherein the channel and the flexible rod are hidden from view when theremovable pocket is affixed to the bag body.